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ABSTRACT

Chendrong is a Chinese new village located, four miles away from Batu Gajah, Perak.

There is a mining area at the southern part of the village and Kinta Valley Estate is

just located to Chendrong Village. This village covers 61 acres. The villagers live a

simple life and usually plant their own vegetables and fruits to sell in the morning or

at the night market. The majority of Chendrong villagers are Christians and Taoism

practitioners. The main languages spoken are Cantonese and Hakka. There are only

two kindergartens and one primary school in Chendrong. However, no police station,

fire station as well as other social amenities can be found in the village. Chendrong

was once a flourishing village during 1950s and 1960s together with the development

of its tin mining activity. Nevertheless, as time passed, what is left behind is a village

with old buildings and a small population. To develop tourism in the village, the

villagers would have to cooperate with travel agencies and organize special trips to

Chendrong to promote their tourist spots like ‘Kapal Korek’. Besides, they could also

create more entrepreneurship opportunities by expanding their plantation and fishing

industry at the abandoned mining pools.

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HISTORY

Gateway to Cenderong

The New Villages in Malaysia began with the resettlement of villagers following the

Emergency (1948–1960) while Malaya was still under the ruling of British Colonial

Government. The Chinese were segregated and fenced up in different villages to curb

communism activities. 452 New Villages were set up and Chendrong New Village

was one of them.

Before the Emergency Law was enforced, the community of Chendrong was scattered

at different places; some at Batu Gajah, some at a railway station called Malays

Austin, and some were five miles away from Tualang. Later, the British Colonial

government gathered these groups of people to Chendrong Village and that was how

they resettled there. The majority of the Chinese communities were Hakka and

Guangdong, followed by Min. Initially, there were 300 houses in the village and

among them, 2 houses were Indians. Now, the village has expanded to 450 houses

and the population has grown to 3000 people.

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ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Due to geographical factors, villagers in Chendrong earned their living in two main

industries, namely rubber plantation and tin mining, before Malaya gained its

Independence. In the early 20th

century, most of the rubber estates were owned by the

British. Chendrong Estate (also known as Hei Lu Pai) and Two Miles Estate were the

most famous estates then. Most of the workers at estates were women while greater

number of men worked at the tin mines or tin dredge.

After Malaya gained its Independence, British sold most of their rubber estates and

tin mines to the villagers. Therefore, up to the present day, most villagers have their

own land in Chendrong. The majority of the tin mines have become poultry farming

areas. This is a new industry for villagers who still remain in the village. They fully

utilize the mining pools to breed their chickens and ducks. This is good as it prevents

the ponds from becoming mosquito breeding ground and creates new

entrepreneurship opportunities for the villagers as well.

Besides that, the villagers like to plant vegetables and fruits within their house

compounds. The two pictures below show how the villagers utilize empty land within

their house compounds, planting durian trees and long beans.

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Durian Tree

Long bean farm

They also sell their produce from their plantation at the market. The size of the

morning and night markets at Chendrong is quite small and there are only a few stalls.

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Morning market

The vender used a very unique trishaw to sell his vegetables on street

Some of the villagers use trishaws or motorcycles to sell vegetables, fruits or snacks.

They peddle around the village to sell their goods. Villagers who need daily groceries

do their marketing at the local mini-market.

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Chuan Hong Mini Market

Villagers buying groceries at Chuan Hong Mini Market

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There is no shopping mall in Chendrong. Therefore, in order to select from a wider

choice of items, the villagers need to go to the nearest town, Batu Gajah which is 4km

away from Chendrong.

All economic activities in Chendrong are operated by the villagers themselves. Since

the tin mining industry declined, the economic performance of this village has

dropped as well. Now, there are only a few miles of rubber estates owned by the

villagers existing 5 kilometers away from Chendrong. Many villagers have lost their

jobs, and this led them to migrate to the city to earn higher income. This is especially

the case for the younger generations. As time passed, Chendrong has become a

village with only elders and children. It comes to life during festive seasons when

former residents return home to celebrate the traditional festivals.

Recently, there are a few attempts by the villagers to start oil palm plantations as a

new economic source. As the demand for oil palm in the world market is increasing,

it should be very good opportunity to venture into this industry. If successful, this

should provide more job opportunities for the development of the village.

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EDUCATION

There is only a primary school, SRJK(C) Thong Hon Chendrong and two

kindergartens, Chendrong Kindergarten (Teoh Kha Sun Administration Building),

and the Pre-school session of SRJK(C) Thong Hon.

I. Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Thong Hon Chendrong:

School Motto: Propriety, Justice, Honesty, Shame

Thong Hon Chendrong was founded by the principal of Thong Hon Tualang in March,

1948. It was located five miles from Tualang Estate and named as The 8th

Campus of

Thong Hon Tualang. The total number of students then was only 28.

In 1949, the school was renamed as Thong Hon 1st branch. In June 1951, subjected to

government’s order under the Village Ordinance, the school was instructed to move

and be reconstructed at Chendrong Village. The number of students then was 165.

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In 1953, with the allowance given by the Government and MCA Perak, Thong Hon

Chendrong was able to complete its second phase of development. Four classrooms

and a staff room for six teachers were built. In 1962, the government implemented

free primary education for students and this increased the number of teachers to 14

and the students to 415. The school was also renamed Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan

(Cina) Thong Hon in the same year. In 1982, another four classrooms were built and

in 1997, with the effort of the villagers and successful fund raising activities, the

school managed to get 20 computers and a new computer room. From 1998 to 1999,

Ministry of Education allocated RM200, 000 for the school to build another six new

classrooms, renovate old buildings as well as maintain embankments and build

ditches that were destroyed by floods.

Today, the school has a total number of 216 students. Six rooms are used as

classrooms while the rest are used for other teaching and learning purposes. They

include music room, science room, life skills room, sports room, library, computer

room, and book loan room. From 2003, a classroom was added for the pre-school

scheme. In the same year, Kampar District Member of Parliament, Datuk Qiu Si

Dong donated a sum of RM30, 000 to build a new canteen for the school. Now, the

students are able to enjoy their meals in a more comfortable canteen with dozens of

long tables and benches, sufficient ceiling fans and lights from his contribution.

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The list of Teachers of SRJK(C) Thong Hon Chendrong Year 2009

Principal : Ms.Tan Chee Wooi

Vice principals : Mdm.Teoh Yuat Heng

: Mr.Michael Tng

: Mr.Ong Eng Wan

Mdm.Ngooi Kah Foong Mdm.Fan Choy Yen

Mdm.Lew Lai Kum Mdm.Teh Sau Hooi

Mdm.Phan Siok Hoon Mdm.Lim Wei Ling

Mdm.Ng Leh Kean Mdm.Wong May Chee

Ms.Cheng Wan Fei Mdm.Ranjit Kaur

Ms.Teng Shwu Tyng Puan.Faridahanim

Former Principal Years of service

1. Mdm.Kaw Kim Fong 1948 – July 1948

2. Mdm.Chong Yoon Ying 1948 − 1950

3. Mr.Wong Shea Yee 1951 − 1976

4. Mr.Wong Kok Sung 1976 − 1981

5. Mr.Chin Yin Yao 1981 − 1984

6. Mr.Lee Soo Keong 1984 − 1989

7. Mr.The Kian Tat 1989 − 1993

8. Mr.Chung Kok Sang 1993 − 1995

9. Mr.Ong Kah Peng 1995 − 1997

10. Mdm.Limm Fei Fei 1997 − 2006

11. Mr.Chin Chan Kong 1996 − 2008

12. Ms.Tan Chee Wooi 2008 − Present

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II. Kindergarten Chendrong (Teoh Kha Sun Administration Building):

Kindergarten Chenderong

There are two kindergartens in Chendrong New Village. The picture above shows,

Kindergarten Chendrong, located at Teoh Kha Sun Administration Building. Though

it is a private kindergarten, it is a non profit-oriented business. This kindergarten was

initially situated at the old City Hall Administration Building. Under the headship of

its new chairman, Mr. Ho Chin Kun, funds were raised to relocate the kindergarten at

Teoh Kha Sun Administration Building with new classrooms and new equipment.

The name Teoh Kha Sun Administration Building was a tribute to the main donor.

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This is a double storey building. There are two classrooms at the ground floor for

teaching purpose while the upper floor is used for administration purpose. The names

of the donors (Lim Siew Wah and Chin Loi Sih) are engraved on the wall of each

classroom. The name of the Kampar District Member of Parliament Datuk Qiu Si

Dong is engraved on the wall of the upper floor as a token of appreciation for his

contribution of RM30, 000 for construction of the building.

Kindergarten Chendrong recruits students from four to six years old. The junior class

comprises children from 4-5 years old while the senior class is for students who have

completed their one year study in junior class. The tuition fee is standardized for all

levels, which is RM40 per month from January to September. As for October, parents

only have to pay half of the tuition fee due to school holidays. Besides, students need

to pay another RM20 of miscellaneous fee at the first and second half year. The fees

charged are used to purchase textbooks, notebooks and teaching aids like chalk and

dusters.

There are only two teachers in the kindergarten now. One of them is Mdm. Lee You

Lan, a 54-year old lady with 33 years of teaching experience while another is Mei

Ling, aged 42, with 22 years of teaching experience. The operation hours of

Kindergarten Chendrong are from 8.00a.m. to 11.30a.m., Monday to Friday. Students

have a break from 10.25a.m. to 10.45a.m for snacks and they are only allowed to eat

outside the classrooms.

In recent years, the enrolment of students in every new intake is declining. Currently,

the kindergarten has only 51 students. The main reason is the establishment of the

pre-school class in SRJK(C) Thong Hon Chendrong which provides free pre-school

education. The second reason may be parents’ preference to send their children to

other towns for education. In addition, more and more young families are moving out

of Chendrong to the cities. Last but not least, as family size is declining nowadays,

the population of Chendrong is shrinking at the same time.

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III. Pre-school Chendrong

Since 2003, the village's primary school SRJK(C) Thong Hon has added a class for

pre-school education. This programme is specifically designed for students who are at

least six years old. Each year, many parents would compete to enroll their children

into the school for several reasons. First, it is free-of-charge. Second, as SRJK(C)

Thong Hon is the only primary school in the village, parents would have to enroll

their children for Year One in the school sooner or later; therefore, they want to get

their children adapted to the school’s environment and teaching methods earlier

before they enter Primary One.

However, not every student would be accepted for the pre-school class. As it is

regulated by the Ministry of Education, every pre-school class can only accommodate

a maximum of 25 students. Hence, students who wish to study here have to pass an

entry exam to determine their eligibility for admission. Currently, the pre-school class

is directed by Mdm. Wong May Chee who is responsible for teaching and sourcing

teaching materials. She is assisted by an assistant who deals with other administrative

details of the pre-school class. The Pre-school hour is from Monday to Friday, 8.00 to

11.30 a.m. and their break time is from 10.10 to 10.30am

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SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

Chendrong village is a peaceful village. The lifestyle is casual and routine. The

villagers start working early in the morning and rest in the evening. The only leisure

time they have is hanging around or having drinks with their friends at the one and

only marketplace in the village at night. The main two religions practices in

Chendrong village are Taoism and Christianity.

In the 1960s, there was one police station at Chendrong village with only two police

officers who were place there. The crime cases were very few during that time. Now,

there is no police station at Chendrong village. Besides, the community has formed

their own volunteer team who would take turns to patrol the village at night. The

volunteer team which comprises the three main races is indeed the best illustration of

‘1 Malaysia’ in real life.

As the majority of young villagers are working in the city or urban areas, the village

is quiet most of the time. However, whenever there is a festive celebration, old

residents will travel back. The researchers were lucky to have the opportunity to join

the village’s celebration for Moon cake Festival in last October. Every year, the

villagers organize two events for the Moon Cake Festival celebration. One is the

Lantern exhibition event while another is a dinner gathering for the elderly in the

village (孝亲敬老宴会).

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The Hall of Thong Hon, full with the elderly for the Mooncake Festival Celebration

•

•

•

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Pre-school students performing a dance on stage

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The community in Chendrong is very involved in festival celebrations such as

Chinese New Year Festival, Moon cake Festival, Dumpling Festival (端午节), Cap

Goh Meh Festival and Winter Festival (冬至) because they believe that it is through

these events that their relationship have become better. After all, the events have

created chances for them to socialize with each other. The committee members of Shi

Gong Temple, a temple in Chendrong Village are always actively involved in

organizing the events. Another celebration that they emphasize most is the celebration

of Shi Gong Temple’s birthday (晨诞) that falls on every 11th

November in Chinese

Lunar Calendar.

s

Sih Gong Temple in Chendrong

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TOURISM VALUES

Chendrong is a typical Chinese New Village, with quiet simplicity and a glorious history of tin mining

as background

According to "Nanyang Siang Pau" on March 3, 2002, Housing and Local

Government has divided 452 Chinese New Village in our country into three

categories: The first category is villages located at the edge of town, namely ‘the

village in city’. The second category is villages that are not very urban-oriented, but

not backward, and the third category is villages that are situated in remote and

backward areas. Chendrong is categorized into the third category and has natural

attractions for the tourists who are fascinated with the traditional Chinese village.

Chendrong is located at Kinta, Perak and was once a famous tin mining location. It is

also one of the New Villages listed in Village Category Development Program to be

developed as a tourist spot for its mining background and natural beauty.

Although there are no rivers and streams, there are iron ore and tin mining lakes as

well as a more than a century’s old tin dredge. What is worth mentioning is that the

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tin dredge is one of the only two tin dredges that still exist in Malaysia. The existence

of these artifacts reminded and testified the glorious past of mining industry in

Malaysia.

A huge historical tin dredge as the selling point for tourist attraction.

The entrance to the tin mining dredges

The abandoned tin dredge is located not far from the village. According to the Head

of Village, Mr. Liao Beng Hong when being interviewed by ‘Nanyang Siang Pau’,

the villagers of Chendrong village has a motto that tin dredge is the focus here, we

must strive to promote it’. He pointed that there are many people who are not aware

of the existence of this tin dredge and the mining lake in their village, so they have

the responsibility to promote this historical site to the world.

He further added that, an entrance has been made specifically at the ship ore berth so

that tourists can go in and have a close look at the iron ship. Outside the entrance,

there is also a tin mining museum for tourists to visit and have a better understanding

of the history of tin mining industry in Malaysia. The entrance fee to the museum is

RM5 per person.

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(From left) Head of Chendrong Village - Mr. Liao Beng Hong;

UTAR Student - Chew Yee Hoong

When asked about the possible development of the village, the Head of Village stated

that Chendrong is left far behind in commerce and technology. The \only hope for the

village to cope with modernization is through tourism. He expressed that if all the

villagers in Chendrong could give full support and cooperation in promoting the

tourism spot, it would help to stimulate the village’s economy and business.

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Tin Mine Museum

Tin ore bag

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Malaysia Smelting Corporation Straits refined tin. Pictures of tin mining process

Women working in a mining lake Mining props

Mixtures of tin. The model of tin mining activities

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An example of a Tin Dredge

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Though Chendrong is just a small village, it definitely has the potential to become a

tourist spot in future. In order to expose the younger generation to the tin ore mining

process, schools could organize field trips to Chendrong. Students would benefit from

such trips because they do not only get historical knowledge from books, but also are

able to witness with their own eyes the process of ore mining and the tin dredges

(Kapal Korek) in real life. The entrance fees could be reduced especially for

educational trips and group tours.

Besides that, travel agencies could develop creative travel itineraries which include

day trips to tourist spots in Perak such as Chendrong, Batu Gajah (10 minutes from

Chendrong) and Ipoh (30 minutes from Chendrong). Tourists could visit Chendrong

for its Mining Lake, Batu Gajah for its Kellie’s Castle and Ipoh for its food. If it was

successfully promoted, these trips would definitely make Chendrong a well known

place.

In addition, the Chendrong community could also organize fishing activities since

there are many ponds in the vicinity of Chendrong Village. Fishing Competition

would be a good way to promote the village as it would attract more fishing

enthusiasts from all over Malaysia to join the competition.

Farming is another economic activity for the senior residents in Chendrong Village.

They could fill their leisure time doing plantation work rather than playing mahjong

or Chinese chess. On the other hand, they could earn extra income from selling

products from their farms.

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PROBLEMS

Chendrong is a small village. The area covered by Chendrong is only 61 hectares.

There are 400 to 500 houses with a total of 3,000 people in this village. Many young

adults have left the village for the cities and those who remain by and large are the

elderly and children.

Most houses and shops in Chendrong are built of wood. The fact that they do not

have a Fire Station (Bomba) in this village is indeed a worrying situation. Besides,

there is no Police Station in the town to ensure the villagers’ safety too. Though there

are no major crimes in the village so far, we should not take peace for granted. In

addition to that, Chendrong New Village lacks basic infrastructure like transportation

and communication systems and social amenities like restaurants and stationery

shops. To date, the villagers have to deal with low speed internet and bad

communication lines. They also have very limited choice in terms of eating places

and food as well as entertainment activities. More often than not, they spend their

leisure time fishing, playing chess or mahjong and singing karaoke at home.

An old Ban Mee stall full with customers Famous Ban Mee in Chendrong

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RECOMMENDATION

More infrastructure and social amenities should be developed for the welfare of the

residents in Chendrong Village. Among them are a 24 hour clinic, restaurants and

shops, fire station, police station and the list goes on. Besides, the villagers call for a

Secondary school as well so that their children do not have to travel a long distance

every day in order to get secondary education.

A fire station is definitely a must for the village as we realize that fire spreads rapidly

among wooden houses or shop lots. Residents of Chendrong Village call for the

Police Station to be re-established in view of escalation of crime nowadays. Under the

protection of the police, the villagers would be able to live in a more secure

environment. On top of that, it will also facilitate the villagers in lodging any report.

In terms of health welfare, Chendrong Village requires a 24 hour Clinic especially to

take care of emergency cases and other health issues.

In order to develop the village, the authorities may consider revamping or fixing the

abandoned lake in Chendrong Village for commercial purpose, for instance, for

fishing or as tourism spot. With such expansion, more job opportunities would be

created for the benefits of the villagers.

DISCLAIMER:

Information contained in this report was compiled by the University’s students on

voluntary basis. Although every effort has been made to check the accuracy of the

report, the University accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any errors or

omissions, if any, the University reserves the right to make changes on the

information at any time without prior notice.

Should there be any queries regarding contents of the report, please contact:

Department of Soft Skills Competency

Tel: 03-79551511 ext 157 (Klang Valley Campus)

05-4662323 ext 2297/2299 (Perak Campus)